Dangerous Analogies

I was recently in an office building that has electronic screens where news and other such items are displayed. One thing that the screens display is management tips culled from various people. I think it’s pulled from various twitter feeds that have been labelled with some kind of management tip hashtag. Regardless whether that is accurate or not, one caught my eye. I’m paraphrasing, but it basically stated that a good manager remembers the little people because they are the stepping ones one treads in order to reach success.

This seems like a dangerous analogy to me.

Now, there is a chance that this analogy was deliberately calculated to be humorous. There is also a chance that sufficient thought didn’t go into how this sounds. Sure, it’s accurate. Without the contribution of employees managers would sink, possibly even drown. However, it may also be a little too accurate.

After all, do you want to put forth that you think of employees as utilitarian objects? Do you want to put forth the impression you consider them items to step on? Success? Why, I reached that by stomping on the backs of employees!

I’m just saying, it may not be the best image to convey. Employees as stepping stones seems a little bit insensitive, regardless how accurate it may be.